Exploration of Child Labor

People probably think, what is the reason that causes child labor. As the result, the reason of child labor is poverty, illiteracy, early married parents, war and disaster. Children from poor family might be forced to support and work for their parents. Illiteracy, In the developing countries, due to lack of employment opportunities or education, children may be work in factory to provide food and clothing for family, instead of attending school. Also, war and disasters will fuel child labor. In conflict and disasters, parents may lose their jobs and school might be destroyed, children may be forced to start work. In Afghanistan, years of armed conflicts have fueled poverty and child labor, at least a quarter of Afghanistan's 5 to 14-year-olds work to raise their families but they usually working long hours with little or no pay. A 15-year-old Afghan boy's brother and sister were working since they are five. They had been working in brick making, to clean the ground, take a shovel and pick a pickaxe, everyone is at work.

During the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s child labor was a social issue that developed in the United States. In the early 1900’s, so many children ages 16 and under were working in American mine and factories. Our kids should not be forced to work at such an early age, they need education and a good childhood that they will always remember. Some children that are as young as 4 years old are being forced to work in crammed, dangerous factories. These factories are full of poisonous fumes and diseases that can obviously kill. Kids as young as 13 are being forced to work around 13 hours a day. Working these 13 hours is exactly what most adults are working at the time. Kids are also earning a lower wage since they are minors, employers

A decrease in per capita GDP is correlated with increase in child labor. It is difficult for poor families to stop sending children to work, because alternatives are hunger and starvation of the whole families. Pierik and Houwezijl (2006) have put it,

Child labor is a serious problem that affects children from third-world countries all over the world. These children are exploited by multinational corporations ,for their cheap labor all over the world. People, then buy products that come at a cheaper price, from these multinational corporations.These children are often overworked and treated unfairly. People need to stop buying items from countries that endorse child labor.

Child labor is a sigsignificant problem in developing. Countries across the globe(Dilascia,tracey m).one of the most oftern -cited examples of child labor abuse occurs in manufacturing industries(Dilacia, tracey m).one of the most frequently proposed solutions to the child labor problem is the imposition of economic(Dilacia tracey m ). Many international organizations as well a number of European counties oppose placing on countries that permit child labor( Dilacia tracey m).ultimately ,the problem of child labor will not truly be solved until the poverty( Dilacia tracey m).It is estimated that a staggering million child across the world are exploited child laborers(zoltan, melania barto ).while the u.s. often speaks against child labor and has federal and state laws punishing those who illegally exploited children in this country(zoltan, melania barton). In order to prevent child labor,the u.s. must impose economic santions on countries that continue to exploit children(zoltan ,melanina barton).For instance ,the worst forms of child labor convention 182, enacted in 1999 , was designed to prohibit the worst forms of child labor.( zoltan.

When the United States passed the bill that banned the importation of goods made by child labor, Americans thought that it was a victory for children in third world countries. What Americans neglected to consider was the possible negative side effects that the children were to face. Due to the ban, millions of children have lost their jobs and have been left to starve. Prohibiting theses imported materials is not an effective way to make the lives of working children better. When confronting the controversial issue of child labor, one needs to step into the shoes of the children, diminish child labor stereotypes, and focus on regulations and goals to improve working conditions.

Child labor remains a major social issue in the world, it is not as severe an issue as it was centuries ago, but it still affects millions of kids all over the world today. Children have historically been a part of the world's labor force especially, with the arrival of industrialization. There are many occasions throughout history in which children have been indentured or forced into child slavery within the labor market. Children were viewed as a cheap, manageable and sustainable labor resources by many businesses. Child Labor increased in the United States when the population increased. When many immigrants began moving to the United States to rural areas, they began urbanization, which meant that more people moved to urban areas. There were local needs however there weren’t enough workers, so businesses resorted to hiring children.

The problem is enormous, but the trend, fortunately, is heading in the right direction. The overall growth of an economy is by no means the only factor, nor for that matter the most important factor, in the mitigation of child labor.

You may think that trouble with child labor laws is a thing of the past, but in fact these issues are worse than ever. Even in America, a well developed country, these problems are still a struggle to many American children and their families. American kids are not the only ones who have to go through this. Child labor is active all around the world. These kids go off to their ten hour work day while their family stands by and watches. What a shame that anyone would even hire them in the first place. Children who are forced into the workforce come from any background. It is mainly an issue for families who are lower income and the parents cannot support the family, so the kids get jobs. About 168 million children worldwide (100 million boys and 68 million girls) are stuck in child labor. This accounts for about 11% of the overall child population.

“Child labor keeps children out of school and is thus a major barrier to development. (1)”

Although there are efforts to put an end to child labour in the world of today, they does not seem to be enough. This is because even though there is a decrease in the number of children that experience child labour, the change is not significant. The level of child labour continues to increase. Presumably, in the societies where child labour is the way of life, only few individuals master the courage to speak against it. Unfortunately, their voices are unheard. For instance, in India there are efforts to lessen the number of child labourers, but culture always gets in the way. This results in children working under very poor conditions that pose a danger to their health on short-term and long-term scale. However, in Canada the law states that:

Child labor is work for children, but also harmful to their growth physically, mentally or emotionally. Children were forced to work because of their family’s extremely poor condition where they may be needed to drop out of school. In most kinds of

Poverty is the main reason for child labour. Poor households need the money, which their children can earn. Children contribute to 20 – 25 % of family income. It is obvious that the survival of certain families depends on the children’s earnings.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has estimated that 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen work in developing countries. 61% in Asia, 32% in Africa and 7% in Latin America. Many of these children are forced to work. They are

Edmonds. Eric V. and Nina Pavcnik. (2005). Child Labor in the Global Economy. American Economic Association. Book.